Maruti Suzuki has commenced exports of its first-ever electric SUV – the e Vitara – to over 100 countries including Japan and Europe. The carmaker will first meet global market requirements before launching it in India. However, even the global dispatches faced delays due to several external issues including the supply constraints of rare earth magnets being a major one. The company has yet to announce its exact launch timeline but has confirmed that the Maruti e Vitara will debut before the end of the current financial year.
Competition & Price Prediction:
In India, the Maruti e Vitara will be positioned against the Hyundai Creta Electric, MG ZS EV, Tata Curvv EV and Mahindra BE 6. While official prices will be revealed in the coming months, the electric SUV is estimated to be priced around Rs 20 lakh onwards. Suzuki’s Gujarat manufacturing facility will serve as production hub for the EV.
Battery Options & Range:
Based on the Heartect-e platform, the e Vitara will be offered with two battery options – 49kWh and 61kWh. These batteries use LFP (Lithium Iron-phosphate) blade cells, sourced from BYD. The dual motor AWD setup will be exclusively available with the larger 61kWh variant. In Trail mode, Maruti’s AllGrip-e AWD system automatically brakes the tyres losing traction and send power to the ones with grip, working as a limited-slip differential.
Maruti Suzuki has revealed that the e Vitara will offer a driving range of over 500km on a single charge, most likely with the larger 61kWh battery pack with dual-motor AWD configuration. The 49kWh battery will come with a single motor, delivering power worth 144bhp, while the larger 61kWh battery with single motor offers a maximum power of 174bhp. Both versions return a peak torque of 189Nm. The AllGrip-e AWD variant will be paired with a 65bhp motor, and produces a combined power output of 184bhp and 300Nm of torque.
